Thomas J. Kerby, PLA

hi everybody, i just graduated with my MLA and was worried I couldn’t take a LEED exam without LEED experience, I scanned and attached my diploma to the registration and I’m qualified to take the LEED GA – I haven’t received the study materials yet because they’re on backorder but thought I’d let the word out

Is anyone working on a LEED project now? How is it going? Share with us…

Hi Lisa, I studied at UW in the LA program there.

I think the stonework both in how it was used/located in space and how it was finished stood out to me as being particularly of a PNW style.

I just received mine a few days ago too and I passed on the 27th of June.

Speaking of iconic Northwest landscape designs, the great Lawrence Halprin died on Sunday, October 25th at the age of 93.

I see that you’re from New York. It’d be interesting to hear your opinion on what you think defines a PNW design. You mention Haag and Murase but what elements stand out to you? Are there any particular spaces that spoke to you?

Hey all,

I was recently in the Seattle/Bremerton area and notice with some glee, some disdain the recent parks and their design. While I’m thrilled to see more pocket parks and interesting streetscapes in the area, I have to say, the influence of certain PNW designers have positively prevailed. I don’t think these parks were by Murase or Haag,…[Read more]

I just got Revit and am starting to play around with it. Has anybody started to use it? I might have to take a training course though. We will see.

Also started playing with Maya’s MEL scripting. I got a book called “MEL Scripting for Animators” which is really good so far but slow to get through.

Chris-
I know exactly what mean. It would be almost impossible to be a true advocate for the client if you were being paid a sales commission from the contractor. The commission I was referring to is more like maybe a “finders fee”, if you will. I run across all sorts of projects and not all of them are appropriate for a designer. So I refer the…[Read more]

Chirs,
Here in Texas we are not required to be licensed for landscape contracting. Sometimes I wish we were because every guy that has lost his job in the last few months has become a landscaper/maintenace contractor. I am sometimes bidding against people that are brand new in the business.
I am working with several Landscape Architects like…[Read more]

Hey Chris,
We are in Phoenix, and we do mainly design and subcontract the work out on high end residential designs. I believe we are the main contractor, and the work is divided accordingly.

Chris,
I operated a design/build company for 25 years where most of the work we did in-house with some sub-contracting on the specialized features. I now work by myself designing and then managing the projects. I have a network of contractors that work on these projects. I have a design fee and then negotiate a management fee with the…[Read more]

Elif-

I have learned that high-level or not, clients don’t read a lot of text. They’re swayed by images, sketches, pretty colors, and your passion. If you say Mondrian, show them what/who that is so they don’t have to ask. Have images that clearly delineate the connection between a Mondrian piece and your design (for example). If you communicate…[Read more]

Chris-
My advice:
If you love design, find a couple of good contractors you can send work to on a regular basis. They will (or should) pay you a commission or referal fee for the work you refer to them. They will in turn send you work, some of which they will pay you for directly. Probably a little at first, then more as your relationship builds.…[Read more]

Hey Chris,
My principal here in AZ is a licensed contractor. It’s pretty involved here, but definitely opens up many opportunities…

i passed mine in march i think, and it didn’t post on the website for 4 months and i just received my certificate yesterday.

I called the USGBC a week or two back they are just beginning to print certificates for those who passed between may and june.

I’m in Southern California too and passed the exam just before the cutoff – it only took 6 or so weeks to get my certificate and listing on the website. I know they are a little behind because of the rush to take the exam before the v2.2 cutoff, but I would be a little more proactive if I was you…you don’t want this to fall through the cracks…[Read more]

thanks. i did check the website and didn’t see my name listed yet but hopeful as you said they are probably just behind schedule.

Check your status on the USGBC web site. If you are listed as a LEED AP there, everything should be fine and you can assume they are just behind in sending out the certificates.